Learning styles has to do with how you take in, process, and add to your knowledge base. Knowing your personal style helps you use your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses. There are many learning style questionnaires on the web. If you do not know your style or your child’s style, check some out.
Visual learners do well with Images. Graphs, diagrams, faces, places can be remembered and pictured in your mind. Use a map, draw a map. Pictures are worth a thousand words.
Auditory learners do well hearing information. Lectures, words to songs, directions. Listening is important.
Reading/ Writing learners Are comfortable with written material. They enjoy writing and can comprehend what they read. Note taking and studying notes is key for them. They love writing and reading.
Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing. Hands on activities, life experiences help them learn and remember. labs, experiments, acting, sports teach to their strength. Tactile or touch enhances learning.
Each of those use different modalities. When working with students who are struggling, we say to use multi sensory teaching. Using as many strong areas as possible and avoiding the weaker ones.
STRATEGIES
VISUAL
- doodle diagrams
- flowcharts
- flashcards with pictorial clues
- highlight main ideas in one color, details in another
- make a chart or boxes for key information
- mneumonics
- timelines
- draw
AUDITORY
- record notes and listen
- books on tape
- read outloud
- Study partner
- group work
- tape lectures
- talk your way through topic
- create a song, rhyme etc.
- use metaphors
- acronyms
- mneunonic devices
READING/WRITING
- rewrite notes
- colored pens, highlighters
- write notes in margins
- write key concepts in boxes, circles
- write out explanations
- write instructions
- mneumonics
- repetitive writing important info
- make an outline
- write a list
- keep a calendar
KINESTHETIC
- type notes
- move as you read – treadmill
- move as you memorize
- rock in a chair while reading
- use chalk board or dry erase board while standing
- pace while learning
- create models
- research on web
- highlight material
- readnotes outloud
- dog ear pages
- write out and use flashcatds
- sit near front of room
- use play dough
- trace letters in salt or sand or whipped cream
Experiment and use combinations of techniques that work. Try something else and you may surprise yourself as to how it helps your memory and learning. Knowing yourself is key!
Pat's Ponderings 